Drosanthemum floribundum
Ice plant
(c) wild_wind, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by wild_wind · licence
Family: Aizoaceae · Type: Shrub · Not Native
Drosanthemum floribundum (Ice plant) is a non-native California shrub in the Aizoaceae family, recognized by South African introduction, less common than Carpobrotus species but established in coastal habitats.
Ice plant is a naturalized perennial found in coastal regions of northern, central, and southern California Coast Ranges and Channel Islands at elevations below 35 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces pink to pale purple flowers 8 to 9 millimeters long in single-flowered stems. Growing as a mat-forming groundcover with thin stems that root at older nodes, it spreads horizontally across coastal habitats. Its leaves are cylindrical, light green, slightly curved and widening toward the tip. The small plant features linear sepals about 3 to 4 millimeters long with delicate, pale blossoms.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: South African introduction, less common than Carpobrotus species but established in coastal habitats
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Coastal habitats
Elevation: < 35 m
California counties: Santa Cruz, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Bernardino, Orange, Alameda, Marin, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Mendocino, Yolo
Outside California: northern Mexico, native to southern Africa
Bloom period
Drosanthemum floribundum blooms Apr-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Delosperma: Drosanthemum has equal sepals and thread-like stigmas; Delosperma has unequal sepals and awl-shaped stigmas.; vs Carpobrotus: Drosanthemum has small flowers and dry capsules; Carpobrotus has huge flowers and fleshy fig-fruits.; vs Disphyma: Drosanthemum has thread-like stigmas and dry capsules; Disphyma has club-shaped stigmas and fleshy fruits.; vs Dimorphotheca: Drosanthemum has many thin petals and succulent leaves; Dimorphotheca has broad ray flowers and thin leaves.; vs Lampranthus: Very similar; Drosanthemum has 4-6 chambers; Lampranthus typically has more (requires flower dissection).
Frequently asked questions
Is Drosanthemum floribundum native to California?
No. Drosanthemum floribundum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Drosanthemum floribundum bloom?
Drosanthemum floribundum blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Drosanthemum floribundum grow?
Drosanthemum floribundum occurs in Santa Cruz, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Bernardino, Orange and other counties, at elevations of < 35 m.
What plant family does Drosanthemum floribundum belong to?
Drosanthemum floribundum is in the Aizoaceae family, genus Drosanthemum.
What habitat does Drosanthemum floribundum grow in?
Drosanthemum floribundum grows in Uncommon. Coastal habitats.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.